Dental Info

Welcome to your mouth! A healthy mouth is necessary for a healthy life. You might be surprised how many different parts work together to make your mouth function. Read more below from Atlanta orthodontist Dr. Caroline Ceneviz to get an in-depth look at the human mouth and how it works. Teeth The look and function of your teeth make your first impression and impact your daily life and confidence.  You’d also be lost (and very hungry) without these shining beauties. Adults have 32 teeth and babies have 20. The four different kinds of teeth you have are: Incisors in the front that bite and cut tough food like meat Canines tear food, like a big piece of bread off the loaf Premolars tear and crush food like salad greens Molars grind everything down small enough for you to swallow and digest The white, visible part of your tooth is called the crown and the invisible part under your gums is called the root. Teeth have three layers, and all three are very important: Enamel ...

There are so many things to be concerned about when you find out you’re expecting. Eating right, taking enough vitamins, getting enough rest, telling your husband there is absolutely no way you are naming your firstborn son Bud Light… but what about your teeth? There’s an old saying—“you lose a tooth for every baby”—but those beliefs are outdated, thank goodness! Still, Dr. Cimino at Modern Smile Center has some important information to share about pregnancy and oral health . Taking Care of Yourself is Taking Care of Your Baby Moms-to-be can become so focused on preparation for the new bundle of joy that they neglect their own health—but try to remember that taking care of yourself is taking care of your baby. If you are pregnant, remain proactive about your oral hygiene routine and don’t skip your regular dental visits. Your teeth and gums need special attention during this time, so be on the alert for symptoms like bleeding gums and dry mouth. Gingivitis & Gum Disease Ho...

Ever had a dream of chipping, cracking, or losing a tooth? You’re not alone; this is one of the most common scary dreams worldwide. Almost 40% of people surveyed had this frightening experience, so when it happens in real life, many patients are understandably distraught. Here’s the good news, though: while harming a tooth can be concerning, it’s not the nightmare you may be expecting. Between home remedies, prevention, and treatments, there is a solution to your dental distress. Read on for everything you need to know about fixing a cracked or chipped tooth. How do teeth get chipped? In my decades of dental experience, teeth can get chipped in some surprising and unexpected ways . From passionate kissing to weight lifting to bounce houses, there are a variety of ways that chipped teeth occur. Even seemingly innocent activities like shivering, munching on hard candy, or an overly enthusiastic greeting from your pet can crack or chip one of your pearly whites. Essentially, a c...

My son David and his dog Georgie Girl on Stoney Beach Georgie Girl I've spent the last two weeks in Cape Cod with my son David and various friends, both old and new. We bike every day on the Shinning Sea Bike path ( much of which has beautiful water views), swim when the weather permits and have a relaxing, under scheduled time together .  My dance card is half full, which is just the way I like it! Sometimes less is more! I have been enjoying summers in Woods Hole for sixty one years and I know a fair number of people here. I can't walk in town or go to the beach without running into an old friend or two. For all intents and purposes it is my home town. I am able to stop shaving, catch up with old friends, watch all the Netflix I can stand, order take out lobster  or Paul's Pan pizza (delicious New England stye pan pizza), and listen to local gossip . Is it true that Obama likes the popovers from Pie in the Sky so much he sends secret agents out to...

A trip to the dentist should be a pleasant experience. That’s what we want for our kids: happy associations with that twice-annual visit to Gordon Dental Associates . Nothing ruins the good feeling at a dental visit faster than the dreaded words, “I found a cavity.” A cavity in a baby tooth is bad news, but not the end of the world. A cavity in a newly erupted permanent tooth is more cause for concern. So what is a cavity? How do they form? And, what can we do to keep them from ever getting started? What is a Cavity? Simply, a cavity, also known as dental caries, is a hole in the tooth enamel. A tooth has an outer layer of hard enamel surrounding an inner layer of dentin, which covers the tooth pulp, which contains blood vessels and a nerve. A cavity forms when the enamel is weakened then fails and no longer covers the dentin. A small cavity can usually be drilled to remove any decayed portion and stop further decay, then filled with strong material, like resin, to re-strengthen t...

Life is full of unexpected surprises, and while we’d love for all of them to be smile-inducing, that’s not entirely realistic—and there may be many reasons you hide your smile. If you’re hiding your smile because of one or more missing teeth, we want you to know you’re not alone. In fact, 120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth, and more than 36 million Americans do not have any teeth at all. Whether the cause is tooth decay, gum disease —#1 on the list of reasons, with 50% of Americans over the age of 30 having the most severe form of periodontitis—illness, or injury, there are solutions. Your Las Vegas dentists at Wagner Dental would like to fill you in on your options, which have expanded and improved over the years thanks to technological advancements and continuing education. An Ounce of Prevention You’re probably familiar with the cliché, but in case you’re not, the ending goes: “is worth a pound of cure.” At Wagner Dental, we believe this to be true. ...

Accidents are never planned and rarely anticipated, but good dental care is always ready and available 24/7. Like all medical emergencies, dental emergencies require quality care, and fast! Here’s what to do if you think you have a dental emergency on your hands. What is a Dental Emergency? If you are in a lot of pain or have experienced trauma that puts your oral health at risk, you should seek emergency dental treatment immediately. Sports impact, chewing hard food, using teeth as scissors, and infections can all cause a dental emergency. Pain and swelling, discoloration of gums or teeth, or a broken or knocked-out tooth should send you to the dentist immediately. Dental emergencies can lead to complicated health issues if left untreated. What to Do in a Dental Emergency In any dental emergency, call Portland dentist Dr. David Case and make an appointment right away. Even if the office is closed, our dentists are on call and available to help. At the same time, clean and tre...

Cancer is always a scary word—but it doesn’t have to be the last word. Equipped with good information and the best doctors, you can feel empowered to navigate whatever stands before you or your loved one. Oral cancer is common, affecting approximately 50,000 Americans every year. If you have more questions about oral cancer, read more below from San Luis Obispo dentist Michael Colleran, DDS . Signs of Oral Cancer Oral cancer is most common among people ages 41-60, and men are at a greater risk of developing it than women. Oral cancer can affect your tongue, cheeks, lips, sinuses, throat, teeth, gums, and roof of the mouth or below your tongue. Unfortunately, it is often detected later than many other types of cancer. This is one reason why it’s so important to know your body and what’s normal (or not) for you. The earlier you can detect any sign of changes in your mouth, the better.  Regular visits to the dentist include regular screenings for abnormalities that may be signs o...

If you need dental surgery, you may have a lot of questions and concerns. How much will it cost? How much will it hurt? Who is going to drive me home? And perhaps most importantly, what can I eat? Recovery can seem a lot more stressful if you don’t stock up on acceptable soft foods in advance. Dubuque Periodontics and Dr. James Fili share a comprehensive list of foods in this article to help ease your mind—at least about one aspect of your procedure! Types of Dental Treatments Each type of dental treatment is different, so it’s important to follow our post-operative instructions regarding appropriate foods to eat. Certain surgeries require a strict liquid diet for a certain amount of time before transitioning to soft foods. Types of dental procedures that require soft foods while recovering may include: Dental implants Extractions Periodontal (involving the gums) Restorative work (crowns, bridges) Awesome Post-Op Soft Foods from A to Z Here we go! And don’t be afraid to ...

We all know that it’s important to take care of our health, but that’s often easier said than done. Health and hygiene routines are an investment of your time every day. So, wouldn’t it be great if you could accomplish more by actually doing less? As it turns out, when it comes to oral health and heart health, you can! Taking care of one is actually taking care of the other. Count that as one less thing you have to do each day. Gwinn dentist Dr. Gwendolyn Buck explains how oral health and heart health are closely connected. How Your Mouth Affects Your Heart There are a number of ways that your oral health is directly related to your heart health. What we know for sure is: If you have gum disease , you have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Gum disease is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation, and it ranges in severity. Inflammation is a normal immune response in your body, but too much of it (like gum disease) is not good. Bacteria in your mouth enter your ...

Diabetes is a chronic and complicated disease that affects how your body processes sugar—its main source of energy. Diabetes symptoms mostly affect your heart, eyes, nerves, and kidneys, but it can affect your whole body, including your mouth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) , more than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and almost 2 million new cases are diagnosed each year. Managing your blood sugar is very important if you have diabetes and will help keep symptoms at bay. Taking good care of your oral wellness is actually one key to managing blood sugar. Diabetes & Your Mouth Diabetes can show itself in your mouth by causing: Gum disease : This condition is surprisingly common among most adults and has an even stronger correlation with diabetes, but it can and should be treated. Dry mouth : Diabetes tends to cause a decrease in saliva, which can be uncomfortable and cause bad breath. Decreased ability to taste : Diabetes can make it difficult to full...

Did you know that unhealthy gums might put your brain at risk ? Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia, which harms your memory, ability to think, and can cause changes in your personality. It’s very common and usually affects people aged 60 and over. And, Alzheimer’s might be significantly more likely to happen if your mouth and gums aren’t healthy. The Link is Inflammation A New York University College of Dentistry study found, “long-term evidence that periodontal (gum) disease may increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s.” Gum disease is a case of inflammation in your mouth. Inflammation is a natural and appropriate response in your body to fight invaders and infection. Gum disease and oral inflammation can be a minor problem or become very serious. But chronic inflammation causes a variety of health concerns that can affect everything from your oral health to your brain. Unfortunately, inflammation problems are increasingly common in the US. The stud...

You’ve heard it before. Too much sugar is not good for little bodies. Or, more precisely, added sugar is not good for people, big or small. The more we learn about how sugar affects the body, the more we realize that a lot of added sugar has many downsides for health. This is particularly true of dental health. Sugar can cause serious problems for tiny teeth. The Rise & Fall A sugar rush is a real thing, and it can be no joke. Sugar is a simple source of energy that the body can use very quickly to make energy. Because the body uses it so quickly, the sugar rush is generally followed by a sugar crash when the body runs out of the high-energy sugar. The human body isn’t the only thing that feeds quickly on the simple sugar. The bacteria in your child’s mouth also like to feed on sugars. When they eat sugary foods or drink high-sugar drinks, the bacteria in their mouth begin to feast. This lets the cavity-causing bacteria grow quickly, making lots more bacteria. A Balancing Act ...

While the idea is often stigmatized in our culture, statistics show that 69% of American adults have experienced at least one missing tooth by the age of 44. Whether this comes from a failed root canal, an accident, gum disease , or tooth decay, a solution is needed to improve chewing and self-esteem. When it comes to replacing lost teeth, dental bridges are one of the most common solutions. Here we’ll cover the types, costs, uses, and alternative treatments when it comes to dental bridges. What is a dental bridge? While dental bridges are increasingly common, used by millions of Americans daily, the term isn’t as familiar as procedures such as root canals or tooth extractions. So, what exactly is this mysterious dental bridge? Dental bridges provide an artificial tooth replacement in places where tooth loss has occurred by anchoring it to the adjacent teeth. The anchoring teeth on either side are referred to as abutment teeth, and the false tooth, sit in between them. This ...